That brings us to 58.76M with our current salaries for next year. Then we start trying to trade, either for a good center, a solid d, or some draft picks. First up, the Kostitsyn bros. That drops about 4.06M. Then Plekachu goes for his 1.75M if he decides to take it to bring our space up to about 5.8M. Finally, I'd also consider trade options for Laraque which would also give us another 1.5M.

I dont think Tanguay, Kovalev or Koivu have done that much to earn that kind of cash. Especially Koivu, there's no way he should get a raise. And Lang will be close to 40, that's too much for him.

You're pretty well talking about the ONLY UFA players who performed this year and showed a little heart. I don't mind giving them small raises to keep those guys around if you're not going to blow the whole team up.

You're pretty well talking about the ONLY UFA players who performed this year and showed a little heart. I don't mind giving them small raises to keep those guys around if you're not going to blow the whole team up.

Just because they showed heart (which wasn't always the case, see Kovalev and Tanguay at times) doesn't mean they deserve ridiculous contracts. 50 points shouldn't get you 5 mil a year, and to be honest I sometimes question these players leadership. I'm not against resigning these players, just at the right price, especially when the cap is going down next year.

I dont care who the hell we keep or let walk, all I want is players who show up to play every night to earn the ridiculous amounts of money they make to play a game we'd all play for free. We need someone who can score. We haven't had a legit goal scorer in well over a decade. We need defence who will pay the price and work their ***** off in the corners and actually know how to break out. Plus we need a vet to teach price what it takes to A) survive in montreal and B) what it takes to survive in this league. This team truly breaks my heart.

Chips and D'Agostini are right now on 2 way contract. They will take less just to get a one way deal.

Lang and Schneider don't have much left to give and I can't see anyone overpaying too much.

Kosto is very replaceable and for that kind of money he is. I like the guy, but that's too much money. With everyone healthy, Kosto is a 4th liner. We can pay a lot of people $.75M not to score.

Hopefully Higgins and Plecs rebound from this bad year, next year contract year, most do better. Just not on this team this year.

Koivu and Kovalev, it's all up to them. Hard to just let them go if we can't replace them and there isn't much there in the UFA pool to replace them. You can make offers to Hossa, the Sedins, Gaborik, but it doesn't mean they will come. Doesn't mean Koivu or Kovalev will come back either. Both have had to put up with stuff they weren't happy with in the past.

Lats will get a bit of a raise. Probably a one year deal.

Dandy is gone. I can't see him wanting to comeback.

Bouillon, I wouldn't be surprise to see him back.

Tanguay, I don't see him being worth what he made this year, but I don't see him signing anywhere for much less.

Komisarek, even with his bad season, he'll still get a good contract from someone if not us.

Breezy, hopefully this is the year he finally hangs them up. But you never know.

Honestly, I want to change the face of the team. I want a new coach, and I also want a new GM. I like Gainey and all, but I think we need something new. We don't have to start from scratch. We already have some interesting pieces that we can build on.

Tanguay is the guy that I'd sign for sure. You have to sign all the younger players from Chipchura to Higgins. If you don't want to keep some of them, you trade them. Higgins and Plekanec won't be able to ask for much so we might see how it turns out for them. I also would re-sign Schneider.

Komisarek, well, depends on how much he wants. We can't justify giving him 4+ millions at this point. As for Koivu, I like him, but I think it's time to move on. Same thing with Kovalev.

Obviously, we would have to make a few trades to remold the team...but we need a change...

Just because they showed heart (which wasn't always the case, see Kovalev and Tanguay at times) doesn't mean they deserve ridiculous contracts. 50 points shouldn't get you 5 mil a year, and to be honest I sometimes question these players leadership. I'm not against resigning these players, just at the right price, especially when the cap is going down next year.

Kovalev and the coach obviously didn't see eye to eye, how many points did Kovy get after Carbo left? The guy is still a contender at his age. Point made.

And besides, just because someone scored 50 points doesn't mean they're a 50 point player. Remember, Koivu missed 17 games this year. And you have to give him a little credit - the guy is the longest serving member of the Habs, the Captain, and always works hard. And you want to cut his pay? Right. He'll walk and we'll get nothing.

Komisarek at more than $4 mil is a joke. Someone will offer him more, but is there a more limited offensive defenceman who turns the puck over so often, make 4 mil?
Yes, he does deliver hits and gets himself out of position.
If one wants a punishing defenseman, why not move Laracque to the blue line (not really!!)?

That brings us to 58.76M with our current salaries for next year. Then we start trying to trade, either for a good center, a solid d, or some draft picks. First up, the Kostitsyn bros. That drops about 4.06M. Then Plekachu goes for his 1.75M if he decides to take it to bring our space up to about 5.8M. Finally, I'd also consider trade options for Laraque which would also give us another 1.5M.

The only players I really want back are in bold. I like Kovalev, but he's too unpredictable and goes into slumps too often. The Kostitsyn Bros. have no work ethics. Sure they got talent, but they have to go.. Package them in a deal.. Ok throw in Koivu if he's willing to sign for less... He want's to win but cannot do it on his own..

Kovalev and the coach obviously didn't see eye to eye, how many points did Kovy get after Carbo left? The guy is still a contender at his age. Point made.

And besides, just because someone scored 50 points doesn't mean they're a 50 point player. Remember, Koivu missed 17 games this year. And you have to give him a little credit - the guy is the longest serving member of the Habs, the Captain, and always works hard. And you want to cut his pay? Right. He'll walk and we'll get nothing.

Sure Kovalev still has the skills to be good, i bet he still has the best hands in the league in 5 years But there is no way I could justify 4.75 million for a guy that games off like Kovalev does. Maybe him and Carbo didn't get along (by the way they seemed to be fine last year), but do you believe that a player like Kovalev will play the way he did the last 15 games of this year, all of next year for a different coach.
As for Koivu, I will always be a fan of his, but honestly, 5 Million. His playing and leading abilities are on the downswing. And props to him for being the longest serving player but that shouldn't be a reason to give an absurd raise to a player, which ties up money that could be better used trying finally to entice a decent UFA or something.

Now this is in a perfect world. For some of them (Komo and Lang), I'd go a bit higher if need be but for most, it would be the maximum I'd offer them and I'd be willing to let them walk instead of overpaying them.

I'd do everything in my power, at just about any price, to get my hands on Vincent Lecavalier, the big center we so desperately need. If we succeed, one of Lang or Koivu wouldn't be re-signed.

I'd then unload Roman Hamrlik's salary to a team of his choice (NTC), to make room under the cap.

On other UFA's, I'd test the water for Jay Bouwmeester and I'd even sacrifice Komisarek for him. Also look into the following options (not all of them of course):